DISD Closing Schools

DISD Closing Schools, Business community support of students, parents and teachers will take on increased importance in light of a decision by the Dallas ISD trustees to close 11 schools, a United Way official said.

Susan Hoff, senior vice president of community impact for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, said the move was an economic decision that was not taken lightly. One of the United Way’s major goals between now and 2020 is to increase the number of students who are graduating from DISD who are ready for college or a career.

So, do school closures move the community closer to that goal?

“That depends completely on how it is handled,” Hoff said. “If it’s handled poorly and children feel displaced and disenfranchised from schools, and their parents feel the same way, then the consequences could be negative.

“If the transition is done well, and there is support of the community — if business, nonprofits and schools embrace those students and their families — then I think (the closures) could help.”

United Way supports parent education, parent engagement and after-school programs that are operated on school campuses. It’s important that those types of programs that operate on closed campuses continue at the new campuses, Hoff said.

Businesses whose employees volunteer in the schools that are closing should encourage those volunteers to get involved at the campus that the students are transferred to, she added. Teachers, as well, should transition with the students to different campuses, she said.